By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Staff Writer Team: Fayette County Tigers

Coach: Clint Burton

Last season: 8-3

Region: 4-AAAA

Key players: QB Gerald Johnson, 6-0, 180, Sr,; TE Josh Sauls, 6-2, 230, Sr,; DE Jeff Barnes, 6-5, 255, Sr,; LB Brian Davis, 6-1, 205, Sr,; S Wes Clark, 6-0, 195, Sr.

Notes: The Tigers return 4 offensive starters and 5 defensive starters,but their underclassmen saw some playing time as well last year. Gerald Johnson may be the biggest threat on offense. Last year he passed for over 1500 yds and 14 touchdowns. Coach Burton has called Josh Sauls the emotional leader for the Tigers on both sides of the ball.

Coach's quote: "A tradition has been established for the Tigers, one that leads to the state playoffs. You try to build on that and keep it going. You don't want to drop the ball on your watch."

First game: at Paulding County, 5-5 last season.

Team: McIntosh Chiefs

Coach: Clint Ashmore

Last season: 2-8

Region 4-AAAA

Key players: QB Nathan Bittner, 5-11, 185, Jr,; RB Dion Stokes, 6-0, 170, Sr,; LB Kelechukwu Oparah, 6-2, 250,Sr,; LB Nate Wesley, 6-3 ,230, Sr,; LB Chris Hanes, 5-9, 190, Sr.

Notes: The Chiefs have a very young defense, most of which saw a fair amount of playing time last year. They have some stand- out players, such as Stokes and Oparah, that are being recruited by Division 1 schools. Their stumbling block seems to be the same one it is every year though, dealing with a losing tradition. Despite winning their first region game since 1991 last season, it is important for Ashmore to get his team to believe in themselves before there will be any vast improvement.

Coach's quote: " It's important for us to eliminate giving up the big plays and try to force turnovers. It's just important for us to play full games and not just good quarters or halfs."

First game: Pebblebrook, 5-5 last season, made the 4-AAAA playoffs.

Team: East Coweta Indians

Coach: Danny Cronic

Last season: 8-3

Region: 4-AAAA

Key players: QB Dantra Clements, 6-0, 180, Sr,; RB Marvin Smith, 6-0, 205, Sr.: LB Mondez Godfrey, 6-0, 235, Sr,: DE Demarcus Barner, 6-0, 200, Jr.

Notes: Neil Carter is a major loss from the line for the Indians. He has had surgery on his knee and will probably be out all season. His size will be missed as well as the Indians are not big at all. They do have speed and quickness but fewer players than they are used to. This year they will only suit up about 45 players.

Coach's quote: "The goal is to get back to the playoffs and the team's morale is high. They are an exciting group but it is hard to say what's realistic. If we stay healthy, we might pull a few surprises."

First game: at Parkview, last season 8-2, AAAA champions

Team: Sandy Creek Patriots

Coach: Don Tyre

Last season: 3-7

Region: 4-AAA

Key players: C Charles Woodham, 6-1, 190, Sr.,; WR John Bettis, 6-0, 190, Sr,; QB Chris Sizemore, 6-1, 190, Sr; CB Dusty Peppers, 5-10,180, Sr; LB Jermaine Harris, 6-1, 190, Jr.

Notes: The Patriots return 5 offensive starters and 6 defensive starters, but the team is young. Five sophomores and one freshman will start with an offense that seems to be ahead of schedule and a defense that has some questions.

Coach's quote: "The team is enthusiastic and believe in themselves, but we must play mistake free football. We've got to weather the storm, the first part of our schedule is really tough."

First game: at Morrow(Tara, Jonesboro) 3-7 last season.

Team: Starr's Mill Panthers

Coach: Mike Earwood

Last season: (JV) 9-1

Region: 4-AAA

Key players: RB Ladon Cooper, 5-9, 165, Jr,; C Mike Phillips, 5-10, 200, So,; QB Brad McClaren, 5-11, 175, So,; DE Clint Barbour, 6-0, 215, Jr,; LB Akil Chhabra, 5-10, 200, Jr.

Notes: The Panthers will be tested right out of the gate with a game at Riverdale, ranked 12th in AJC preseason Top 15 in 4-AAA. Though the Panthers only played JV ball last season, they proved they could hang with the other JV squads, going 9-1. The team has shown some excellent intensity, some good hits and a competitive spirit in the pre-season.

Coach's quote: " Our team is young and inexperienced at varsity play, but if we play a full game as hard as we can, good things could happen."

First game: at Riverdale (12 Oaks), last season 7-3.

Team: Landmark Christian War Eagles

Coach: Bill Thorn

Last season: 10-2

Region: 5-A

Key players: OT James Barker, 6-2, 200, Sr,; RB Marvin Jinks, 6-0, 180,Jr,; T Rahsaan Davis, 5-10, 205, Sr,; SS C.R. Palmer, 6-1, 185, Jr.

Notes: The War Eagles move from 7-A to 5-A and there may be some stiffer competition in that grouping. They run the wishbone very effectively and have only two seniors playing. Most of the team plays on both sides of the ball and Thorn is notorious for having well prepared and well conditioned teams.

Coach's quote: "With only two seniors playing, I was concerned with how the young guys would perform. They underclassmen have stepped up and the defense has a lot of confidence from an excellent performance at the Jamboree, last Friday."

First game: at Greater Atlanta Christian last season 10-0 and 5-A region winner.

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